**Title: Legal Classification of Public Intimidation in the United States**

**Introduction**

In the United States, the legal classification of acts of public intimidation varies by jurisdiction, but both federal law and some states generally classify these acts as criminal offenses rather than terrorism offenses. This classification has significant implications for how such acts are prosecuted and the types of penalties that may be imposed.

**Federal Laws Addressing Public Intimidation**

At the federal level, acts of public intimidation are addressed under various statutes that cover threats, harassment, and other forms of intimidation, though these are typically categorized as general criminal offenses rather than acts of terrorism unless they meet specific criteria related to terrorist intentions or outcomes.

1. **The Hobbs Act (18 U.S.C. § 1951)**: This act criminalizes obstructing, delaying, or affecting commerce by robbery or extortion, including acts of intimidation. It is often applied in cases where individuals use threats to influence or harm interstate or international commerce.
  
2. **The Civil Rights Act (42 U.S.C. § 1983)**: This provides recourse for individuals whose rights have been violated by persons acting under state law. Acts of intimidation that interfere with rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution or federal law might be prosecutable under this statute.
   
3. **The Hate Crimes Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. § 249)**: This statute allows for federal prosecution of crimes motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, where intimidation may be a central element.

**State Laws on Public Intimidation**

Individual states have their legal provisions concerning acts of public intimidation, typically addressed under statutes related to disorderly conduct, harassment, or specific intimidation laws. State laws vary significantly but generally treat acts of public intimidation as misdemeanors or felonies based on the severity of the act.

1. **Disorderly Conduct**: Many states classify causing public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm intentionally, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, as disorderly conduct. This can include acts of public intimidation.
  
2. **Harassment and Stalking Laws**: These laws often cover behavior that includes following another in or about a public place or repeatedly committing acts which alarm or seriously annoy such other person and serve no legitimate purpose.

3. **Terroristic Threatening**: Some states have statutes specifically addressing threats to commit any crime of violence with the purpose to terrorize another or to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation, or otherwise to cause serious public inconvenience.

**Enforcement and Prosecution**

Prosecution of public intimidation typically falls to state authorities unless federal laws are specifically implicated. The categorization of these acts can also influence the degree of law enforcement response and the resources allocated. Cases that involve large-scale threats or have the potential to significantly affect public safety might also involve federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

**Conclusion**

In summary, while the United States does not generally classify acts of public intimidation as terrorism offenses, they are taken seriously as criminal offenses and are prosecutable under both federal and state laws designed to protect public safety and individual rights. The classification helps in tailoring the enforcement strategies and penalties to the specifics of the crime, covering a spectrum of acts from minor disturbances to those impacting larger communities or groups.